People indeed have wild imaginations. Hence, the creation of the conspiracy theory.
A conspiracy theory is an idea, often challenging the mainstream or official explanation of a situation, that typically involves an alleged secret plot by powerful individuals or groups, believed to be manipulating events behind the scenes. My sense is we’re currently seeing a lot of them.
“With social media and the 24 hour news cycle,” writes Dr. Shauna Bowes for the American Psychological Association, “You can be exposed to misinformation and conspiracy theories much more than in the past,”
In recent weeks alone, for example, it’s infiltrated my news that Pres. Donald Trump wasn’t really shot at in Butler, PA last summer; he had fake blood in his mouth. And that the wife of French Pres. Emmanuel Macron was actually born as a biological man.
The things that make you go hmmmm…
While the above two may qualify as a bit of an ad absurdum approach, our list of longstanding, potentially plausible conspiracies is long. Conspiracy theories have been rampant for years. For example…
The Assassination of John F. Kennedy: Despite investigations, some people still believe that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone and that the CIA or other groups were involved. With all sorts of conspiratorial angles evolving, it didn’t help that Oswald was himself murdered two days after killing the President.
The Moon Landing Hoax: Some individuals contend that the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing was faked by the US government, with the footage actually shot on a Hollywood set. All sorts of creative analysis includes the supposedly flapping flag and lack of stars in the sky.
9/11 Conspiracy Theories: These theories propose that the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon were orchestrated by the U.S. government or that the buildings were in reality, brought down by controlled demolition.
Princess Diana’s Death: The unexpected death of the beloved Princess Diana in 1997 in a car crash fueled speculation about a conspiracy involving the British monarchy or intelligence agencies. Theorists suggest the royal family wanted to prevent her from marrying the Muslim man she was dating at the time and potentially carrying his child.
Flat Earth Theory: This active belief asserts that the Earth is a flat disc rather than a sphere. For the record, the “Flat Earth Society” has over 145,000 members on Facebook today. (Can someone please let me know if anyone falls off??)
But it makes me wonder, with absolute respect to all people, including those 145K above, what makes us prone to belief in conspiracy? What makes us likely to adopt something other than the accepted status quo? Note that according to research presented by the National Institute of Health (NIH), over half of Americans believe that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone. Thus we ask, what is it that makes us believe what we’ve been told is untrue?
The NIH provides more analysis, suggesting that conspiracy theories come from many motives. Sometimes we find the conspiracy more appealing. Some, too, possess personality traits that are more aligned with acceptance of the conspiracy. Bowes identifies these as “tendencies to perceive threat and danger, having sort of ‘odd’ beliefs and experiences, relying on intuition, and being antagonistic and superior.”
The reality is that conspiracy theories have always existed, will continue to exist, and aren’t all created equal. We hear them today wresting with Epstein, Covid, Soros and more. How do we know what’s true? Better yet, how do we guard against getting sucked in to that which isn’t true?
Seek evidence — not claims. Watch tone and style; is the presentation balanced and fair or sensationalist and one-dimensional? Scrutinize the source. Does the proclaimer suggest he has the only valid truth? Watch how emotional we become. Be educated. Utilize diverse resources. Look for motive. Beware of drastic leaps in logic. Say prayers for wisdom and discernment, and let our hearts not be rattled.
Lots to think about. Still waiting for that person who falls off the Earth.
Respectfully…
AR